Rubberneck returns to the River City

Ricardo and Pablo Ojeda were born to a musical family in Valdivia, Chile. When the boys were toddlers the family relocated to Dallas, Texas, and as teenagers they expanded their Latin tastes to include all kinds of music —from Vivaldi to AC/DC to Prince. After moving to Portland the brothers recruited like-minded players to form their own Latin-influenced funk band.

With Ricardo writing the songs, singing and playing lead guitar and Pablo contributing to arrangements and playing bass, Rubberneck debuted in 1992.

The band returns to the River City Saloon this Friday in support of its new release “Ego-Manic.”

The band has mounted three national tours since the release of their last album.

Playing in nearly 40 states, they have experienced many musical adventures and personnel changes, each leading to the band's current ascendancy as a regional musical force. Rubberneck performs over 200 engagements a year and fills rooms like Portland's 1000-person Crystal Ballroom or clubs like Seattle's Crocodile Cafe, San Francisco's Paradise Lounge and The Zephyr in Salt Lake City. Early in their career the band also spent a five-month residency in Spain, playing six nights a week to packed houses.

Their recent albums, Nosotros (1995) and El Nino (1998), have sold a combined total of over 15,000 copies and regularly appear on the Northwest Top-Selling Bands Chart.

For more information, visit www.rivercitysaloon.com or www.rubberneck.com.